There is nothing quite like the opening day of the Triple Crown NIT. Teams are eager to test themselves against the best and see where they stack up. With the top teams in the country going toe-to-toe there was plenty to get to and we did our very best covering as much as we could get to on Day 1. The Vballrecruiter.com team spent time watching action from the 12-18s divisions on Saturday and we highlight 28 players who caught our eye the most with Part 3 of our Day 1 Show Stoppers.
DAY 1 SHOW STOPPERS (Part 3)
Lilianah Jackson MB Dynasty 14 Black: A couple of things stood out about Jackson. She is very quick and gets off the ground in a hurry. Once in the air she knows what to do with the ball, as she was an effective scorer.
Mckenzie Andrews MB Legacy 14-1 Adidas: Andrews’ length is a big plus in the middle for Legacy. She changes the dynamic of the front row, as she takes up a lot of space with her block. She can also reach high and hit sharp-angled attacks that defenses aren’t ready for.
Grace Bengfort OH MAVS KC 14-1: Bengfort is a handful to contain. She has a fast arm and can really connect and unload.
Janiah Burrage RS Forza1 15 One: Part of the Class of 2028, Burrage is an athletic hitter with a big jump and strong arm. She can go over the top of blocks consistently.
Alli Bornschlegl OH VCNebraska 15 Elite: Bornschlegl is the go-to on the left side. She swings very well and was taking aggressive cuts and challenging the blocks.
Kennedy Whyte OH Absolute 15 Black: One thing about Whyte is she hits a heavy ball. She has a massive arm and when she loads up and lets loose you can feel it.
Isabel Incinelli OH WPVC 15 Armour Black: Incinelli spent last club and high school season patrolling the middle but was playing on the left when we caught her. She’s super long and can really extend and get on top of the ball.
Reese Stringer S Mizuno 16 Beach Rockstar: Stringer puts her team in the best positions possible. She is a resilient player. She also gets her feet to the ball and hustles for every play.
Ella Florez S Pohaku 16-1: Florez is a high IQ setter who runs a smooth offense. She can take off balls and still make the most of them, allowing her hitters to still get quality swings.
Westley Matavao OH Forza1 North 16 One: Matavao is a physical outside who brings the power to the attack. She can simply crush balls at times.
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Kalyssa Blackshear MB Surfside 17 Legends: Blackshear’s length in the middle can be a real problem. She can extend way up and when she does she’s capable of sending balls down at the 10-foot line.
Erika Sayer MB Co Jrs 17 Kevin: Opponents are not happy to see Sayer in the front row because she can impact a play on both sides of the ball. She can deliver resounding blocks as well as bash winners from sideline to sideline.
Keri Leimbach L/DS Nebraska One 17 Synergy: Leimbach brings a defensive edge to the lineup. She’s a feisty defender who can frustrate opponents with the saves she makes.
Simi Kapustova MB Sports Performance 18 Elite: Kapustova does well staying ready in the middle and is super agile along the net.
Soraya Dennis S Wave 16-1 Scott: Dennis has quick hands and her fast tempo to the outside is what sets her apart from most setters her size. She is extremely consistent and her coverage behind her blockers is above average.
Kalli Lipo L/DS Arizona Storm 16 Thunder: Lipo was passing dimes and is exuding calm confidence on the court. She reads the court really well and makes outstanding digs. She knows when to step in for her setter to create great out of system plays.
Meg Goodwin S Tulsa Power 17-1: Goodwin moves very fast on the court and utilizes her middles when she can. She has a leader’s mentality with very clean hands.
Itzamar Arana-Martinez OH Borinquen Coquí 14-1F: Arana-Martinez might be undersized but don’t tell her that. She jumps incredibly well and has a whip of an arm.
Carsyn Chitty L Mintonette Sports – m.41: Chitty is a steady passer in serve receive, opponents were reluctant to go at her. She was also making plays and keeping rallies alive.
Ariana White MB Paramount VBC 14 Maureen: White plays with physicality and when she gets a hold of one watch out!
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Angelia Robinson MB Lions 14-1: Robinson is very springy off the ground with a nice swing.
Kari Knotts OH A5 13 Karen: Knotts gets up quickly and can generate a ton of pace on her attacks from everywhere on the court.
Kris Yoo L MIZ LB 13 Rockstar: Yoo was picking up everything opponents were sending her way. Scrappy is an understatement for her.
Mary McDowell OH KIVA 13 Red: McDowell gets her share of swings in helping carrying the offensive load. She definitely had some moments taking nice solid swings.
Peyton Smith-Johnson OH Madfrog 13 Green: Smith-Johnson has a whip for an arm. She’s an aggressive hitter who uses the block well.
Abbie Powell MB Munciana 14 Chipmunks: Powell makes an impact across the front row. She has a quick arm and adds an offensive dimension to the attack.
Mikaela Curry MB Aspire 14 Premier: Curry is an undersized middle who jumps incredibly well with a quick arm.
Ella Zieske OH Northern Lights 14-1: Zieske jumps well and can really light it up when she gets a hold of it!
